Katy can’t believe her luck when she finds the perfect pet guinea pig hiding in the lettuce patch, but is everything as it seems?

Katy has always longed for a pet of her own, so when a cute ginger-and-white guinea pig turns up in her mum’s vegetable patch, she thinks her dreams have come true!

Katy calls the guinea pig Lettuce, as that seems to be her favourite food, and makes a lovely home for her in an old greenhouse at the bottom of the garden.

But where has Lettuce come from and will Katy really be able to keep her?

"A gentle story, told in short chapters with very sweet colour illustrations, this will strongly appeal to new readers, particularly animal lovers. There’s a subtle theme of doing the right thing, too, which adds depth. The text is designed with lots of space around it, to support beginner and dyslexic readers. This is another lovely addition to the Little Gems series, which is a good introduction to chapter books." — BookTrust, Book of the Day

"Sure to prompt rich discussion about empathy and values … With details about what guinea-pigs need from their owners and a focus on being gentle and kind, readers will gain understanding of the responsibility of pet ownership." — Scope for Imagination, blog

"With joyful, bright illustrations sprinkled liberally throughout the pages, this is the perfect book for any children transitioning from picture books, or those who have to work harder with their reading. It’s perfect for animal lovers … the guinea pigs were at the heart of the blossoming friendship between the two young girls and the sweet (yet important) message about doing the right thing. A gorgeous guinea pig caper." — Mini Travellers, blog

Holly Webb is an internationally bestselling author of books for children. She has written over 150 books, spanning picture books, chapter books and middle grade fiction. Her work has been translated into over 30 languages, and in Russia she is the best-selling English language author. She is an instantly recognisable, much-loved voice, well-known for her animal stories including The Railway Kitten and The Hounds of Penhallow Hall.